The 10 Best Cordless Impact Wrenches

We chose our winner based on subjective measures: how it handled, balance, and grip.

By
Roy Berendsohn and Joseph Truini

Jan 9, 2019

Jeffrey Westbrook

Over the past two decades we've tested hundreds of tools, but never ran a competition quite this close. First, we tightened 3/8-inch and 3/4-inch hex nuts with a torque wrench, and then used seven cordless impact wrenches to bust free the nuts. Surprisingly, there wasn't a single tool with which we had a substantial complaint. We even tried it blindfolded, and could barely differentiate among our top performers. We chose our winner based on subjective measures: how it handled, balance, and grip. In terms of pure performance, though, the 4½-star machines are just as good.

UPDATE: The seven impact wrenches we originally tested are still exceptional and still available. But there are a few new wrenches that have come out recently that are also worth considering, which we've added to the list below.

HOW AN IMPACT WRENCH WORKS

It’s impossible to overstate the impact that cordless power tools have had on the way that workers work, and the cordless impact wrench is no exception. Unlike cordless drill/drivers and impact drivers, which excel at drilling holes and driving screws, the impact wrench is specially designed for tightening and loosening various hex-head bolts, nuts and lag screws. It employs both rotational force (torque) and short-burst concussive blows (impacts) to deliver an unparalleled amount of power. For example, most cordless drill/drivers produce between 500 and 600 in.-lb of torque, and the average impact driver delivers about 1,500 in.-lb. By comparison, cordless impact wrenches can easily produce torque outputs of over 3,000 in.-lb, which is more than enough muscle to power-drive the fattest lags and bust loose the most corroded nuts.

You can even use an impact wrench to remove lug nuts from car or truck tires. However, all that brute strength isn’t very useful if you can’t control the tool. Fortunately impact wrenches are extremely comfortable to use because the concussive blows smoothly transfer most of that high-energy torque directly to the fastener, not to your hand, wrist or arm. As a result, the twisting motion—known as reactionary torque—that you feel when using an electric drill is virtually eliminated. Now, here are the best impact wrenches.

Likes: Makita engineers succeeded in packing a lot of power and features into this ultra-compact wrench, making it the perfect tool when working in tight spaces. We also love its dual LED work lights and super-efficient brushless motor.

Likes: This enormous brute of a tool comes with three speed-limit settings of 400, 1,200, and 1,900 revolutions per minute, which provide control even when you can't see what you're doing. Despite its industrial-­duty motor, it's agile and easy to use, thanks to a slim handle and unfussy design.

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